Neural interfacing device

Abstract

A neural interfacing device is disclosed. The neural interfacing device may include at least one microneedle electrode. The microneedle electrode may have one or more microneedles. The one or more microneedles may be shaped and positioned such that when the neural interfacing device is applied to a nerve, the one or more microneedles penetrate a nerve epineurium without any portion of the microneedle electrode penetrating any nerve axon beyond a depth of 500 micrometers.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 934,708, filed on Feb. 1, 2014, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Implementations described herein relate generally to neural interfacing devices configured to electrically stimulate and / or record electrical activity of nerves.[0003]Electrical stimulation can be employed for stimulating, inhibiting, or otherwise manipulating nerves, including peripheral nerves, cranial nerves, optic nerves, spinal nerves, autonomic nerves, nerve ganglia, plexuses of nerves, nervous tissue, and the like. The effects of electrical stimulation on a nerve and characteristics of neural recordings can be at least, partially controlled by the characteristics of the electrode used to contact the nerve. A major challenge in the art is minimizing the electrical current or voltage delivered by the electrode required to achieve the desired effect on the target nerve.[0004]Exis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

Problems solved by technology

A major challenge in the art is minimizing the electrical current or voltage delivered by the electrode required to achieve the desired effect on the target nerve.

Extraneural interfaces can also face challenges of migrating in space over time with respect to target axons.

Previous studies have shown that selective stimulation and / or recording capabilities are enhanced in interfascilar or intraneural interfaces, but these approaches are significantly invasive to the nerve.

Additionally, their long-term efficacy and safety depend heavily upon the surgical technique used to implant them, and the electrodes are prone to damage from motion.

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